Russia should make a tough statement on Syria in relations with U.S. - Liberal Democratic Party

May 22 2013

RBTH

Interfax

Vladimir Ovsyannikov, first deputy head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction of the State Duma, believes Russia should make a tough statement on Syria in relations with the United States.

Related:

"We are not even raising the Syria issue in the parliament. I think it's time to say clearly that Syria is a territory of our important interests and put an end to all these 'smiles' and good relations between us and the U.S.," Ovsyannikov said in the State Duma on Wednesday, commenting on the statement by the U.S. Senate in favor of weapons supplies to the Syrian opposition.

Ovsyannikov said that Russia should prevent the development of the conflict, "which may spread to our territory, sooner or later."

"Syria is only needed as a springboard for an attack on Iran. [A war in Iran] would imbalance the entire situation and cause the military action to spread to the territory of the Northern Caucasus. I don't rule out the involvement of Russia in this conflict," Ovsyannikov said.

Ovsyannikov said the State Duma Committee on International Affairs should "make a clear and tough statement on the situation in Syria."